Question: Would you, Christian, ever be so disappointed in the political views of your pastor or fellow church members, that you found yourself unable to even bear going to church anymore? To be totally honest, before today, I would have dismissed this theoretical as too ridiculous for serious contemplation. It seems to me self-evident that…

Read this David French write-up of an appalling episode today between senator Bernie Sanders and Russell Vought (seeking to be confirmed as Deputy Director of the White House Office of Management and Budget). Sanders' grilling of Vought's theology is distasteful, yes, but it is also borderline unconstitutional, since the clear implication of Sanders' conclusion is that…

Recently a few friends of mine have asked me about writing, and for some perspective and/or advice on how to get started doing it seriously. I've given the same advice enough times that I figured it might be helpful to put what I most frequently say here as a kind of reference. As always, none…

Recounting the events of today: An American comedian posted to social media a picture that included a likeness of the President in an extremely vulgar, grotesque, and at least plausibly threatening context. There was widespread outrage and condemnation of the image. Virtually no one of consequence defended the comedian or her content. Nonetheless, that didn't…

A question that's been nagging me: Would Anthony Weiner still have a political career if he hadn't owned an iPhone? Last week Weiner pled guilty to sending sexually explicit messages to a minor through his smartphone. His plea deal comes with probable prison time. Weiner, former Congressman and aspiring New York City mayor, told the…

Last spring spent about four hours of a Monday night at a college graduation. My wife was being awarded her degree in elementary education, and she was joined by (according to the college president) 995 other undergraduates. Graduates were welcomed, inducted, charged, presented, and awarded, in that order. The night was long; speeches repeated, processionals and…

My intention with my last post was to make a very small, but very important point. Discernment is not cynicism, and cynicism is not discernment. What passes for critical thinking is often nothing more than a defense mechanism, wired specifically to keep presuppositions from coming into contact with pushback, disappointment, or worst of all, contrary reality.…

Cynicism: "I don't believe these news reports because they critique or reflect poorly on those in my political tribe." Discernment: "Of course, I have my convictions and my loyalties, but everyone, including me, is capable of doing wrong." Cynicism: "The problem is clearly that these media outlets have an agenda against my tribe. You can't trust them." Discernment: "Bias is real,…

I'm headed to the mountains for vacation tomorrow, and will be signing out of all social media for the duration of my holiday. Unplugging from social media and taking vacation seem to go hand in hand, for a lot of us. But have you wondered why this is? I have a feeling James K.A. Smith…

What does Proverbs 22:13 have to do with social media and public discourse? The sluggard says, “There is a lion outside! I shall be killed in the streets!” Now, you don’t have to have a Ph.D. in Old Testament to know that waking up near a lion was not an unheard of event in the…